Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Jilly_in_VA

(10,938 posts)
Mon Jun 24, 2024, 10:45 AM Jun 2024

I'm the parent of a trans daughter. There's nothing conservative about blocking her care.

Sean P. Madden

I write as the proud father of a courageous, kind and empathetic 24-year-old transgender daughter to provide some insight into our family’s experience with gender-affirming care and hopefully to correct some of the most egregious misinformation about it.

In the past year, there has been a tsunami of anti-transgender legislation in the United States, with bills targeting transgender people introduced in nearly every state. These bills and their sponsors are supported by a richly financed group of anti-LGBTQ+ groups such as the Alliance Defending Freedom, which received more than $96 million in contributions and grants in its 2022 fiscal year.

Most distressing is this network’s focus on banning gender-affirming care for adolescents, which has been passed into law in 25 states. We know from our own experience just how radical and cruel these laws are.

When our daughter came out to us as transgender just before her 16th birthday, we listened to her intently, trying to understand what she was going through and how we could best support her. And we questioned, like many parents of transgender children do initially, whether this was just a phase that she would outgrow. In hindsight, we didn’t really comprehend then what it would mean for her to be transgender, but we understood clearly that she was suffering.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2024/06/24/trans-kids-gender-affirming-care-parents-rights/74090131007/

Politicians should stop trying to impose personal beliefs as statewide mandates that harm children and interfere with the private, individualized medical decisions of families.[/i
This is a powerful article. Please read on.
4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I'm the parent of a trans daughter. There's nothing conservative about blocking her care. (Original Post) Jilly_in_VA Jun 2024 OP
I am soooo over politicians having ANY say, but incredibly, the "final say" in medical care. hlthe2b Jun 2024 #1
Good article! Too bad... FirstLight Jun 2024 #2
Tell them to move one state north Jilly_in_VA Jun 2024 #3
If you don't let trans kids transition -- 70sEraVet Jun 2024 #4

FirstLight

(14,200 posts)
2. Good article! Too bad...
Mon Jun 24, 2024, 11:08 AM
Jun 2024

that it's something every Conservative needs to hear, but never will.

My kid is trans, and living in NC from CA has lost all access to care... but is muddling through for now :/

70sEraVet

(4,165 posts)
4. If you don't let trans kids transition --
Tue Jun 25, 2024, 04:45 PM
Jun 2024

you will have dead kids.
And I'm sure most of these right-wing politicians are ok with that, as long as its not THEIR kids!

Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»LGBT»I'm the parent of a trans...